This Genius Korean Product Will Change the Way You Think About Foundation Forever

Bounce is beautiful.

Is this little cushion the secret to a flawless complexion?Photo: Ashley Minette

These days, there's a does-it-all beauty product for everything. Just a few years ago, the BB Cream arrived in America—an Asian miracle product designed to provide a hefty dose of SPF, flawless, photo-ready coverage, and a universally-flattering tint. Then, barely a year later, it mutated and became a glorified tinted moisturizer of sorts, boasting illuminating, bronzing, age-defying, pore minimizing properties. Before we knew it, there was one for the hair. And then, the body. And somewhere in between, the CC Cream quietly launched, raising eyebrows and even more general confusion over what putting two identical letters before a product's name actually means anyway.

As a beauty editor, it is my job—nay, my noble duty—to test the products that pique my interest, but most BB Creams bored me in comparison to my favorite tinted moisturizer or foundations. They fell flat on the skin, they canceled my yellow undertones for a sickly look, and they dried matte, which I hate. And now that the rules on SPF have gotten even more stringent, I think it's irresponsible to rely on a thin layer of one of these products to provide me with a proper amount of daily coverage. (Also, even if I wanted to, it's not like they play nicely! They tend to look cakey when layered.)

So when AmorePacific, a Korean brand renowned as much for its high prices as its pretty stellar products, sent their CC Cushion Compact, I was skeptical. Indignant, even. But the futuristic packaging and the weird, gooey texture of the foundation-soaked pillow really won me over. I grabbed my favorite brush, dipped it in, and buffed a thin veil of "Golden Tan" into my "Sallow Pale" skin. And I was impressed.

"This product is part of our patented Fluid Capture Technology, which basically transforms a low-viscosity liquid into a refined emulsion via cushion delivery," explains Nathalie Paiva, senior manager of marketing and public relations at AmorePacific. "This allows for a uniquely weightless and buildable coverage."

That also means layering is not only possible, but encouraged: The more product you tap into your skin, the more dewy coverage you get. And that's not the only benefit: "The ability to incorporate a broad spectrum SPF 50 into such a light formula is a point of differentiation that sets this product apart," Paiva says. "Our research and development team worked tirelessly to ensure we could deliver flawless coverage without even a hint of the white cast that's so common in other SPF products." So now, you can reapply every two hours and get breathable, gorgeous coverage. Pretty genius, huh?

So genius, in fact, that it was only a matter of minutes before similarly-packaged products came about. "They say that in Korea, cushion compacts make up more than 40% of the foundation market," says Charlotte Cho, founder of the Korean cosmetics e-commerce site SokoGlam.com. "And that's because Korean women wanted the same type of benefits found in BB Creams, but with a more sheer, natural, moisturizing coverage that also could be reapplied throughout the day."

"Now, with the success of the product in Korea, less expensive brands like Etude House have started putting primer formula into their compact packaging," she explains. (That particular product goes for $24 on her website, making it the cheapest option at market.) "It's right on trend with the 'no makeup-makeup' look that's so popular in Korea. Plus, getting ready is much faster, because it's just pat, pat, pat, and go!" (That's a whole lot different than the average foundation's apply, buff, and blend method.)

Your local Sephora also recently started carrying Dr. Jart Bounce Beauty Balm, an SPF 30 complexion product housed in a similar cushion format. If you like a matte, almost powdered finish, this is definitely the right pick for you. (Plus, it's hypoallergenic, so it's good for acne-prone skin types.) Also arriving to the party is the first cushion compact designed by an American brand: It Cosmetics's CC Veil Beauty Fluid Foundation with SPF 50+ (pictured above). Here, the formula gathers at the bottom of the sponge. Overall, it's more coverage than the other products in the category, but ingredients like hyaluronic acid and algae ensure an oil-free, radiant wear.

Overall, the takeaway after giving all these guys a test run is pretty positive. So if you hate using a daily SPF or you couldn't apply foundation to save your life, these are well worth a shot. And I would act now, before they start popping up from every brand everywhere, with ridiculous, new-and-improved claims on the label. ("Makes Pores Disappear," "Cures Acne," "Saves the World," etc.)